Test Your Vocabulary (Idioms 1)
Do you know your idioms?
Most of the time, students will ask you the meaning of idiomatic expressions rather than a single word. It would do you best to brush up on some common idioms.
For this quiz, please choose the best definition for the underlined idiomatic expression.
- 1.
Hands down, he is the best singer tonight.
- A.
No competition
- B.
Tied hands
- C.
The worst
- D.
Hands raised
Correct Answer
A. No competitionExplanation
This sentence means that there is no one who can compete with him in terms of singing ability tonight. It implies that he is far superior to any other singer present, making him the clear standout performer.Rate this question:
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- 2.
She's been down in the dumps since they broke up.
- A.
Dirty
- B.
Smelly
- C.
Very sad or depressed
- D.
Humiliated
Correct Answer
C. Very sad or depressedExplanation
The phrase "down in the dumps" is an idiom that means feeling very sad or depressed. It is commonly used to describe someone's emotional state when they are feeling down or unhappy. In this context, the person has been feeling this way since their breakup, indicating that they are experiencing sadness or depression as a result of the end of their relationship.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Her new Hermes bag costs an arm and a leg.
- A.
Inaccessible
- B.
Very expensive
- C.
Beautiful
- D.
Very heavy
Correct Answer
B. Very expensiveExplanation
The phrase "costs an arm and a leg" is an idiom that means something is very expensive. Therefore, the correct answer is "very expensive".Rate this question:
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- 4.
John is always worried during meetings because his boss is a loose cannon.
- A.
Unpredictable
- B.
Rude
- C.
Nagger
- D.
Sleepy
Correct Answer
A. UnpredictableExplanation
John is always worried during meetings because his boss is a loose cannon. This implies that the boss behaves in an unpredictable manner, causing John to be concerned about how the boss will react or behave during these meetings. The term "loose cannon" suggests that the boss is unpredictable and may act in unexpected or volatile ways, which aligns with the meaning of the word "unpredictable".Rate this question:
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- 5.
She said she'd go out on a date with him when pigs fly.
- A.
After work
- B.
Next month
- C.
Soon
- D.
Never
Correct Answer
D. NeverExplanation
The phrase "when pigs fly" is used to express that something will never happen. In this context, the person is saying that she will never go out on a date with him. The phrase is often used to convey extreme improbability or impossibility, emphasizing the speaker's lack of interest or intention. Therefore, the correct answer is "never."Rate this question:
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- 6.
Quit pulling my leg!
- A.
Massage
- B.
Kidding / joking
- C.
Making someone taller
- D.
Your job
Correct Answer
B. Kidding / jokingExplanation
The phrase "Quit pulling my leg!" is an idiomatic expression used to tell someone to stop joking or teasing. It implies that the person is not being serious and is just trying to play a prank or make a humorous remark. Therefore, the correct answer is "kidding / joking".Rate this question:
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- 7.
Their cupcake business is a real cash cow.
- A.
Easy way to make money
- B.
Large
- C.
Heavy
- D.
Expensive
Correct Answer
A. Easy way to make moneyExplanation
The phrase "cash cow" is often used to describe a business or venture that generates a steady and significant amount of profit. In this context, the statement suggests that their cupcake business is highly profitable and brings in a lot of money easily.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Two days before my paycheck, I was already scraping the bottom of the barrel.
- A.
Very last or worst
- B.
Asking for money
- C.
Hopeless
- D.
Panicking
Correct Answer
A. Very last or worstExplanation
The phrase "scraping the bottom of the barrel" is an idiomatic expression that means reaching the lowest point or having no resources left. In this context, it suggests that the person is experiencing financial difficulties and has almost run out of money, indicating a desperate or dire situation. Therefore, the correct answer "very last or worst" accurately captures the meaning of the phrase in the given sentence.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Amy bit off more than she can chew when she agreed to handle two events in one week.
- A.
Looking forward
- B.
Too much to handle
- C.
Extremely disappointing
- D.
Obviously excited
Correct Answer
B. Too much to handleExplanation
The phrase "bit off more than she can chew" means that Amy took on more responsibilities or tasks than she can handle. In this context, agreeing to handle two events in one week is overwhelming for her. It implies that the workload is excessive and beyond her capacity, indicating that it is "too much to handle."Rate this question:
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- 10.
We managed to get the ball rolling after having lunch together.
- A.
Full stomach
- B.
Throw the ball around
- C.
Start something
- D.
Leave the place together
Correct Answer
C. Start somethingExplanation
The phrase "get the ball rolling" is an idiomatic expression that means to start something or initiate an activity. In this context, the speaker is saying that after having lunch together, they were able to start or initiate something successfully. The other options, such as "full stomach," "throw the ball around," and "leave the place together," do not convey the same meaning as starting something.Rate this question:
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- 11.
My grandmother can still play tennis at 76. She's really one tough cookie.
- A.
Strong person
- B.
Old person
- C.
Meek person
- D.
Weak person
Correct Answer
A. Strong personExplanation
The phrase "one tough cookie" is used to describe someone who is strong and resilient. In this context, the fact that the grandmother can still play tennis at 76 suggests that she is physically fit and capable, indicating that she is a strong person.Rate this question:
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- 12.
He passed his licensure exam with flying colors.
- A.
Lots of cheering
- B.
Great expectations
- C.
High emotions
- D.
Excellent scores
Correct Answer
D. Excellent scoresExplanation
The phrase "with flying colors" is often used to describe someone who has achieved great success or performed exceptionally well. In this context, it suggests that the person passed their licensure exam with excellent scores. The other options, such as lots of cheering, great expectations, and high emotions, do not directly relate to the achievement of passing the exam with excellent scores.Rate this question:
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- 13.
They finally spilled the beans about the status of their relationship.
- A.
Tell the truth
- B.
Slip of the tongue
- C.
Lashed out
- D.
Kept quiet
Correct Answer
A. Tell the truthExplanation
The phrase "spilled the beans" is an idiomatic expression that means revealing a secret or sharing confidential information. In this context, "the status of their relationship" is the secret being disclosed. Therefore, the correct answer is "tell the truth" as it accurately represents the act of revealing the undisclosed information about their relationship.Rate this question:
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- 14.
He decided to jump on the bandwagon and listened to K-Pop.
- A.
Fall in love
- B.
Have had enough
- C.
Join a popular trend
- D.
Build his confidence
Correct Answer
C. Join a popular trendExplanation
The phrase "jump on the bandwagon" means to join or participate in a popular trend or movement. In this context, the person decided to listen to K-Pop, which is a popular trend, indicating that they are joining in on the trend. Therefore, the correct answer is "join a popular trend."Rate this question:
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- 15.
Janis relies on her little cake shop. It's her bread and butter.
- A.
Main source of income
- B.
Specialty
- C.
Cause of popularity
- D.
Favorite hobby
Correct Answer
A. Main source of incomeExplanation
The phrase "bread and butter" is commonly used to refer to one's main source of income or livelihood. In this context, Janis relies on her little cake shop for her main source of income, indicating that it is her primary means of financial support. Therefore, the correct answer is "main source of income."Rate this question:
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- 16.
Don't worry about it. Let's just cross the bridge when we get there.
- A.
Ignore something when it arrives
- B.
Deal with something when it arrives
- C.
Laugh about it when it arrives
- D.
Tell people about it when it arrives
Correct Answer
B. Deal with something when it arrivesExplanation
This phrase is often used to suggest that there is no need to worry or stress about a situation that may or may not happen in the future. Instead, it advises to focus on the present and only address the issue when it actually occurs. It implies that there is no benefit in wasting time or energy on something that may not even happen.Rate this question:
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- 17.
When they had a baby, their travel plans were put on the back burner.
- A.
Cancelled
- B.
Pushed through
- C.
Put on hold
- D.
Modified
Correct Answer
C. Put on holdExplanation
The phrase "put on the back burner" is an idiomatic expression that means to delay or postpone something. In this context, when the couple had a baby, their travel plans were delayed or postponed. Therefore, the best word that fits this meaning is "put on hold."Rate this question:
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- 18.
He was really hell bent on getting the first prize after losing last year.
- A.
Recklessly determined
- B.
Very impolite
- C.
Incredibly rude
- D.
Extremely prepared
Correct Answer
A. Recklessly determinedExplanation
The phrase "hell bent" suggests a strong determination or resolve to achieve something, regardless of the consequences. This implies that the person is willing to take risks and act without considering the potential dangers or consequences. Therefore, the term "recklessly determined" accurately describes the person's mindset of being determined to win the first prize.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Being well-heeled, she's went to Paris and Morocco several times last year.
- A.
Having beautiful feet
- B.
Wealthy
- C.
Well traveled
- D.
Well connected
Correct Answer
B. WealthyExplanation
The correct answer is "wealthy". The phrase "well-heeled" is often used to describe someone who is wealthy or affluent. In this context, it suggests that the person has enough financial resources to afford multiple trips to Paris and Morocco.Rate this question:
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- 20.
She got her jacket from the flea market for a bird's song
- A.
Really low price
- B.
In exchange for a song
- C.
Free of charge
- D.
Exchange of services
Correct Answer
A. Really low priceExplanation
The explanation for the correct answer, "really low price," is that the woman obtained her jacket from the flea market at a very affordable cost. This implies that she paid significantly less than the usual market price for the item.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Sep 17, 2013Quiz Created by
UNHoopPhilippine
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